Question of the Week: Why does my dog keep crawling and hiding under the bed?

When I first noticed this behavior in my roommate's beagle, I thought it fell right in with his feline characteristics. After all, he is a very dainty lap dog rather than a typical beagle. Then I started reading of other people's experiences and realized that it is not a feline characteristic but a canine trait.

Dogs are den creatures who like to burrow in a tight and cozy space. You may notice that if you give bed access to a dog, he may move around pillows and blankets to create some sort of fort. He likes to morph just about any place into his own little fort, including under my bed. When he crawls out, it's almost like he's in the army, crawling through the ditches.

Whenever there are loud noises like fireworks or thunder and lightning, he resorts back to this type of behavior of hiding. It makes him feel safe and secure.

It is important to note that this can be a behavior trait or possibly an illness. If your dog is hiding under the bed and not coming out for food, water, or going outside, it may be a sign of a health problem and your dog should be taken in for veterinary care.

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Back to School Separation Anxiety for Dogs

Back to School may be a sad time for dogs who are used to having their playmates around and all the endless attention. Adults know how difficult it is to back out of the driveway with Fido staring out the window. Here are some ways to reduce that separation anxiety when summer vacation is over and regular routines are back on track.

1. Physical Exercise - Keeping your dog active will make your dog less mopey around the house.


2. Doggy Day Care or Dog Walker - If you're away from home for more than 6 hours and your pup is left alone, he needs someone to come by to check in on him, especially for younger dogs. Consider getting a dog walker or dropping your pup off at a dog day care center where he can socialize and play all day.


3. Cozy Crate - If you keep your dog inside a crate, you want the crate to be the most comfortable that it can be. AnimatedPet's line of custom-fit crate covers and pads will make all the difference in creating a den like atmosphere so your dog can relax without causing a rumpus while you are away.


4. Scavenger Hunt - Keep your dog busy by hiding treats and letting him find them. Or throw in a peanut butter filled Kone. The hunt will be quite exhausting, utilizing senses and overcoming obstacles, that it'll tire them out so they'll go right back to napping.


5. Comfort Blanket or T-Shirt
- Let your dog cuddle with a personal blanket or a t-shirt to keep your scent around to ease the blues when you are away.

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Summer Heat Warning

Temperatures are rising and reaching triple digits. You simply cannot get away with running into the store and leaving your dog or your child inside the car. The car heats up twice as fast and can inside your car, it can reach temperatures up to 200 degrees.

The best thing to do is to leave your pet at home. Properly ventilate your home or turn on the air conditioning. If you keep your dog in a crate, make sure you do not cover it completely.

You can also cool off your dog by placing a cool wet towel on the floor for him to sit on. It'll cool them off quicker from their bottoms.

This may seem like common sense, but lots of pet owners are not aware of the differences in their pets safety and comfort. Take good care of your pets and have a wonderful summer!

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Swing Dog

This is absolutely adorable! Look at that grin on his face!

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Survey: Mobile Pet Needs

If you travel a lot with your pets or if you would like to travel but find it too expensive or too cumbersome to travel with your pets, please participate in our quick 10-question survey: here

We're interested in hearing your thoughts on what is most important for you and your beloved pet when it comes to hitting the road.

Thank you for your feedback!

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Snapshots from our fans: No-No, Bagel, and Jeffrey

"The cover and the pad are both made out of very high-quality material making it very firm yet comfortable for my dogs, No-No, Bagel and Jeffrey. It was surprising to me that they liked the crate so much since they usually sleep in their own beds and have never been inside a crate before. The seemed to find the crate pads very comfortable and stayed inside the crates with the doors shut without any begging or crying to be let out. Even with the covers on with one panel rolled up, the crate is very well ventilated and each one of my dogs looked cozy and comfortable."

-from Tina in Irvine, CA

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Famous People Lookalike: Jo-Jo and Mark Twain

My initial reaction was Jo-Jo looks more like Albert Einstein, and then I found that picture of Mark Twain. The resemblance is uncanny!

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Next Top Doggy Models

Here are some test shots from our latest volunteer models! They don't look too happy. I guess they weren't paid enough treats for the photo shoot.

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New Puppy Checklist

Much like moving into a new dorm room, it is important to be have everything you can possibly need for your puppy to move into your home! Here is a list of items that we recommend you purchase BEFORE you bring your puppy home.

The Basics
+Food/Water: Try to purchase the same type/brand of dog food from the shelter or the breeder from where you brought your puppy home. You want to stick to the same kind of food and gradually introduce a new brand. Don't forget that you'll also need bowls for food and water!
+Crate/Bed - A den-like resting place is very important for your puppy to learn how to spend their inactive time. Use covers and pads to make the crate more like a bed and more comfortable for your puppy.
+Exercise Pen - Your puppy will be full of energy and curiosity. If your puppy is still working on its training, it is best to keep an exercise pen to keep them enclosed in a supervised area while he gets exercise and working on socializing.

General Supplies
+An adjustable collar with ID tags
+Leash for walks and for training
+Grooming supplies: puppy shampoo, grooming brushes (varies with breed and coat type, see Pet Education's Guide to Brushes & Combs for Dogs), toothbrush kit, nail trimmers

Goodies
+TOYS - You will notice that your puppy's attention span will vary. Have a variety of toys, kongs (tough chew toys with treats inside), squeaky toys, stuffed toys, and bouncy balls for your puppy to play with.
+TREATS - Enough said. These will help train your dog but keep the quantities small. Reward your pup for good behavior which will help reinforce learning

Any other suggestions?

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Corgi Puppies

A friend's Corgi just had a litter of puppies. I imagine her house is going to turn out a little like this...

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The Crate Escape!

2-year old Cisco the Rottweiler escapes from his crate while his owners are gone! Of course, they catch him on hidden camera.

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Question of the Week: What size crate should I get for my dog? What if I have a growing puppy?

When it comes to crates, most pet owners need suggestions on how to pick the right crate for their dogs and what type, size, or even brand to choose.

Each type of crate has its advantages and disadvantages when it comes to portability, security, and long-term use. If you plan to travel with your pet, plastic carriers are widely used because they are airline approved for pet travel. Plastic carriers offer more portability, especially for smaller pets. However for long-term use as a crating device, wire crates offer more protection and can allow enough room for your pet to create a den-like environment. Wire crates are also perfect for larger and stronger dogs since they offer the most protection for your pet and are generally less expensive than plastic and tent alternatives.

When it comes to the size of the crate, bigger is not always better. It is best to choose a crate that gives your pet room to be comfortable enough to turn around and lay down. Your dog should also be able to enter and exit the crate in the upright position without having to crouch or crawl through. Crates should be cozy and enclosed to give your dog a safe and comfortable environment that recreates a den-like ambiance suitable for their natural needs.

Extra space is not always a good idea as dogs may begin to section off areas to relieve themselves since there is extra room to lie around away from their new "bathroom" area. AnimatedPet offers a guide for selecting the best dog crates for your pet.

Growing puppies will also need a crate that can accommodate their growth. Dividers are available for the iCrate, LifeStages, and Ultima crates by Midwest which offers your growing puppy room to grow into their full-size without having to change into a different crate.

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